At a glance
If you are a senior manager, key employee, or trainee at an overseas company, you may be able to transfer temporarily to a related business in Ireland. This Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit is for workers from outside the EEA.
- Role
- Senior manager, key employee, or trainee on a temporary company transfer; this generally does not count toward long-term residence
- Prior employment
- Six months with the overseas group company, or one month for a trainee
- Annual pay
- At least €49,523 for senior managers or key staff, or €36,605 for trainees
Summary
A non-EEA senior manager, key employee, or trainee may transfer temporarily from an overseas company to a connected Irish entity under an Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit.
The Irish and overseas entities must have the required corporate connection, and the worker’s prior service, role, and pay must meet the transfer rules. It is temporary and generally does not count toward Ireland’s long-term residence process.
Eligibility
EEA means the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
This pathway may fit when the following route-specific requirements are met:
- A qualifying transfer from a foreign employer to a bona fide connected Irish entity.
- An eligible senior-management, key-personnel, or trainee position.
- Senior managers and key employees: at least €49,523 annual pay and six months with the overseas employer before transfer.
- Trainees: at least €36,605 annual pay and one month with the overseas employer.
- A genuine corporate connection and compliance with the employer and permit rules.
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Connected companies Confirm the overseas employer and genuine Irish group entity.
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Eligible position Identify senior management, key personnel, or trainee status.
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Category-specific file Check pay, prior employment, corporate records, and transfer terms.
The pay and prior-employment thresholds differ for trainees.
What This Route Allows
The permit supports temporary work at the connected Irish entity, for up to two years initially and five years total for managers and key employees. Trainees can receive up to 12 months.
What This Route Is Not
It cannot permanently substitute for an Irish labor-market vacancy. It is generally excluded from long-term-residence accumulation and does not automatically give dependents work rights.
Next Steps
- Confirm the entity connection and role category.
- Check current pay and prior-employment thresholds.
- Prepare corporate, employment, transfer, and qualification records.
- Apply through Employment Permits Online and complete immigration registration after arrival.
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Hong Kong
Hong Kong Skilled Employee Residence
Hong Kong's skilled employment route is for professionals with a confirmed local job that uses their education, technical skills, or substantial relevant experience.
Netherlands
Netherlands Company Transfer Residence Permit
Managers, specialists, and trainee employees may be able to transfer from a company outside the EU to a Dutch branch under the EU intra-corporate transferee route.
Netherlands
Netherlands Single Permit for Paid Employment
The Dutch single permit, or GVVA, combines residence and work authorization for many paid-employment roles that do not fit a more specialized Dutch work route.
Sources
- Department of Enterprise — ICT Employment Permit — official criteria and duration
- Employment Permits Regulations — March 2026 pay thresholds